The Serpent

Can Giric and Saga’s forced alliance discover peace and love?

Book: The Serpent
By Kate Robbins

Series: Spirits of the Norse, Book #1

Release Date: September 15, 2021

Overall Rating: 5 Stars

Overall Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags

Firth of Clyde, Alba
936 AD

Giric MacDomnail is weary of his people in Scotland being raided and killed by the barbaric Norseman. He feels the only resolution is with peace talks and through a marriage alliance. Even his King is in agreement with this idea and offering his own daughter. Now Giric who is a widow wasn’t planning of taking a wife for himselfof himself. Well that is until he spots the Chieftain Gunnar Haraldson’s sister, the beautiful, feisty, brave, and powerful shieldmaiden, Saga Haraldson who is very much against this alliance, she initially feels her freedom and her way of life would be stripped away from her! As she is a warrior and very different from the Scottish woman Giric has ever known. Saga’s older brother is Gunnar Haraldson, the Norse chieftain of Clan Haraldson, as Saga does not want to be forced into alliance. Yet she must admit this Scot is the most attractive man she has ever laid her eyes on, plus he smell absolutely delicious too and for her this is a major problem!

Now after these peace talks Saga’s Chieftain brother is in complete agreement with the Scots, especially since there are other tribes on Gunnar’s island that want to take over and start a civil war! Gunnar is in desperate need for manpower, which Giric’s army would supply. This would help defend his people as he fears there will be a civil war against his people if he doesn’t act fast. Giric starts to convince Saga of the positive reasons for joining this alliance. Unfortunately Gunnar and Saga Haraldson’s other brother, Magnus comes home after raiding for the past couple years. Magnus despises the Scots and does not want any sister of his marrying a Scot! Of course he can’t exactly go against his Chieftain brothers decision either, but will he start mischief that could endanger his family and start a war?

Now Saga’s younger sister Vigdis is very curious and different from her Shieldmaiden sisters and desire to visit this new new land and wants to visit Scotland very much! It is also very obvious she is very attracted to Giric’s man who is also his closest friend Omar MacAlpin. The Norman’s healer, Fredydis who is a woman that Saga respects and considers a close friend can foresee Saga and Giric in the near furture, who can see them together in a very positive light. However, there are other small minded individuals of both Norman and Scottish decent, who will never accept this Union that could possibly put both their lives in dangers even though this alliance could save both clans! Will Saga and Giric marry to help both their people and countries? Will this help the death and destruction of the Scottish people and help stop a civil war with the Norman own people. There are some filled with jealousy, prejudice and hate who don’t think a Scot and a Norman should mix and marry and can forget not move forward with a fresh slate and forgets their past grievances. Can this marriage be more than a marriage of convenience but a marriage of love? Yet there are some who don’t agree which will put their lives in danger. Can two enemies form an alliance that can save them both. Will Giric need to tame this shield maiden or will he be her personal slave and captive obeying to her every command? Read and find out the result from this captivating tale.

Kate Robbins pens a new series that Viking fans will absolutely love. It has all the ingredients that will dazzle and sweep readers off their feet in this delightful story. I have been reading Kate’s books since her debut as a historical romance author and she never disappoints! This is her first book in this phenomenal new series that I absolutely loved iand can’t wait for the next book called The Raven in this extraordinary series.

A riveting book filled with twists, turns, detours and so much more and the passion absolutely blows steam between the pages too. I highly recommend The Serpent which any fan of Viking history and folklore will love. The characters in this novel are brilliantly drawn with Kate Robbin’s intelligent skillful writing…It is definitely and an extraordinary fun read which I highly recommend!

I received a complimentary ARC copy from the author. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.